Network revenue for ABC, CBS and NBC fell 3.6% in the 4thQ
to $2.15B from $2.23B as the baseball strike, the loss of
football and lower revenue from children's programs "deflated
results," according to the Broadcast Cable Financial Management
Association's quarterly report. Network revenue rose in every
category except sports and children's programming during the
4thQ. The Association only measures the Big Three's revenues.
The report noted that the lost revenue was due to Fox's foray
into football and children's programming (WALL STREET JOURNAL,
3/3).
IN WASHINGTON: President Clinton's telecommunications
adviser Larry Irving told the Senate Commerce Committee that the
administration favors allowing "unfettered foreign investment" in
U.S. telephone and other telecommunications businesses, but
"draws the line when it comes to easing rules that bar foreigners
from owning more than 25% of broadcasting properties" (DAILY
VARIETY, 3/3).
BALCK HUMOR AT BLACK ROCK: David Letterman: "My name is
Dave. You are watching CBS. By the way, would you like to buy
this network?" ("Late Show," CBS, 3/2).

The Maple Leafs and Molstar Commun. are close to a deal for
local TV rights rumored to be worth C$15M. "There is virtually
no chance of a company other than Molson grabbing the rights"
(William Houston, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 3/3).

Last weekend's live coverage of the Goodwrench 500 on TNN
drew the highest average household audience any TNN program has
ever attracted in the network's history (TNN). ....Phil Mushnick
comments on Lawrence Taylor's foray into wrestling and notes it
will "serve as the last straw for his gig with TNT" (N.Y. POST,
3/3)....Michael Hiestand reports that back in '93 when ESPN2 was
looking for on-air personalities, running back Marcus Allen gave
a reference for a now famous personality: Kato Kaelin (USA
TODAY, 3/3).

CompuServe announced the availability of Sports Illustrated
and The Sports Network Online. According to CompuServe, the new
"team," with contributions from AP, "brings the most extensive
array of sports information and materials available" to an online
service. Together SI and The Sports Network will provide up-to-
the-minute sports news, scores and statistics, live conferences
with SI editors and sports figures, online shopping and online
sports fantasy games (CompuServe/SI/The Sports Network).